Reunion Saturday Night

The 20th High School reunion last night was a success. Of course my feet are paying for it, as usual, I woke up this morning sensing that they were really hurting, stood up to walk to my shower and promptly fell back on the bed. Rheumatoid Arthritis is a bummer. They're working now but still really hurt. Now I'm stuck upstairs. Dave is leading a bike ride for the bike shop and I want breakfast and can't walk down the stairs or stand at the stove for more than a few minutes. Grrrrr.

But really, I had a night shaking my groove thing and so for me it was all worth it. I still feel the shame of not remembering the Macarena.

I did meet a few very nice people that I don't remember from High School. Our graduating class was between six and seven hundred so you can't remember everyone. The one's I do remember were the same lovely people, lots of fun and commiserating about a mutually shared GPA. The committee did a great job; dinner was pretty darn good and I have a lovely gift bag filled with snacks that are sustaining me until Dave gets home and makes me some eggs.

bad bad news

We had a niece die a couple of years back, from the flu. She was 3 and a half. My sister in law was pregnant at the time with a little girl and she was born 2 weeks after the funeral.

My niece is now 3 and a half and we just heard that she's in the hospital and has leukemia. Dave's on the phone with his parents right now...

ahhhhh sunday

My favorite day.

Dave does his 40 miles on his thin-tired bike and only returns to the house at about 10am. I may have or may have not gotten out of bed yet, but today I was awake.

He walked in just in time to help with breakfast, but didn't. (whatever) I got the french press working and made sure that my sweetbaby's bacon was crispy while making sure that my dance routine of Gimme More by Miz Spears was what she should have done on that fateful VMA's. I even got a twirl and a dip in when Dave entered the kitchen. Shame on you Miz Spears.

After Umbrella by Rihanna I was a little tired and the eggs were done so we sat down to breakfast and started planning what we wanted to do next to the house.

The alcove for the clothes washer and dryer is framed out for doors that don't exist anymore. I told Dave that it would be nice to get rid of those bits of wall, you know, someday. I went up stairs and started my paper when I heard quite a bit of noise, grinding, pounding and ripping. Well, Dave is working on drywalling the holes in the wall and already the washer and dryer area is brighter. Yes, there are other areas that need improvement in the house but you can't stop Dave when he wants to do a project.

I don't have a downstairs closet any longer. Same kinda discussion and action happened. Our stairwell had a small closet but a neighbor of ours had her closet back wall knocked out and the whole space under the stairs was covered in pegboard and shelves. We were on our way out of the house to a bookstore to hangout (at the Biltmore) and I said while buckling up, "we should do that someday..." Yeah, uh, I don't have a closet anymore.

At least he's a take action sort of guy instead wallowing in uncertainty. Well, except for one thing, his 40th birthday party. He wants a big one and we have until next August.

Dave, I need suggestions for a menu, where do you want to have it? Pony rides? jugglers? Tequila Shooter girls? Mimes? (OK I threw that in for Marcel Marceau, may he rest in peace; Dave would probably kick the crap out of a Mime)

If y'all have any suggestions, let me know. Right now it looks like it going to be at an Irish pub on Camelback but he doesn't want to be locked into that quite yet. Oh and you all are invited.

So my place has a few holes in the walls from Dave's "improvements" but I moved the living room furniture around twice on Saturday and he puts up with that.

As the reunion approaches (Camelback Class of '87) a memory occurred to me as I was reaching for the orange juice this morning (actually I had a nightmare about the reunion last night so I guess its not that surprising) and this may be a story from the past from a reader, Blair.

I was sitting in an Honors English class wondering why I was there. It seems that the teacher, Mrs. Oates didn't realize that it was Honors not remedial English and gave us these ludicrous assignments. We read a book like, Where the Red Fern Grows, and then she had us answer a list of about 150 questions about the book. Really, there was no real way to answer these questions except for 1 or 2 words. The 2nd book is assigned and the same thing happens, another set of questions. Maybe it was so she didn't have to lecture or create any discussion about it. Being only a sophomore and a good girl I felt trapped as I couldn't really question why this was happening and then one day I saw Blair pick up her things and leave. In that instance I said to myself "why not?" and I left too and didn't come back.

Yes I had to retake the class but it was in my Senior year with a much better teacher who I suspect was gay, he wore a bow tie everyday and let me do essays on my favorite British comedies showing on PBS. We would discuss the last Doctor in the House or Fawlty Towers episode when the rest of the class were in groups discussing the latest project.

Well, the drama club, Masque and Gavel, asked for volunteers to visit classes to sell tickets for the Spring Play and guess which two girls made a visit to Mrs. Oates class. I had people mention that little visit in Junior and Senior year. Those adolescent adventures make me chuckle.

Bollywood

I pulled out my copy of Ghost World and was dancing about to the beginning of the movie, as usual, and decided to add the dance number to Jaan Pehechaan Ho from Gumnaan that started Ghost World. Enjoy!




I also had the following up at my myspace page, when I had one, and it was a favorite of the Toddster's and Ryan's (friends) so I want to put it back up. Check out Solla Solla Enna Perumai, from Ellam Inbamayam. You wont be the same after seeing it.

My class participation

My Italian class had just finished watching a short film about an Italian boy pursuing an Italian girl. He called her relentlessly, sat in his car outside her door confronting her about going out with him about 5 times in this story, and finally slowly walking up behind her, unbeknown st to her while they talked on a cell phone.

Our teacher said that her other classes were shocked by his pursuit and found it creepy and stalker-like. Some of the girls said, "I would file a police report about it"

My teacher said,"but that is Italy, He LOVES HER, and she never really said 'no'"

me: Yeah he loves her, he's got three just like her buried in his backyard...

Say hello to my little friend

I just gave my blog address to my "slightly nerdy" gentleman I alluded to in my previous post. Say "hello" to my high school buddy, Andrew!!

"Hi Andrew!!"

Please do not be offended by the "nerdy" label. I consider those boys very very enticing.

Enjoy the show and I'll see you next weekend!!

I love geeks and nerds

I've always known that about myself, I've always been drawn to the not popular and not male model types. This was sooo apparent to me last night.

I was flipping channels last night and ended up watching Metroland with Christian Bale. Now Christian Bale is HOT white hot; that scene in American Psycho when he is going through his morning routine in his tighty whiteys *wow*. In Metroland, he is not buff, his looks are very nerdy and I found him much more attractive than in American Psycho or that Batman movie.

I sat on my bed and ticked off in my head the boys that I had crushes on since I was 5 and there was definately a nerd trend in all. I can't think of one "beautiful boy" with no inner nerd streak that I've liked enough to crush on. I've had more friends that are boys than girls in my life and they have been all nerdish too. Even when I met my friend from high school I was amused to see that he was still the same, slightly nerdy, guy.

Church on Saturday

I got to meet the persons who made my Dave turn his back on his church.

Dave's best friend Dan called Tuesday to let us know that his mother, VI, has passed away. She had Alzheimer's for the last 15 years, so it was a very sad event but it was a relief to know that she was suffering no longer. They believe that she is in better hands, in God's care.

The viewing and rosary was on Friday night. Dave went alone Friday, and mingled with the crowd from the old neighborhood. Dave grew up around St. Gregory's but he hadn't seen some of those people for 20 years. I was working on my next paper, when he got back and he sat on the ground next to me and told me about all the people who were surprised how he had grown up so good looking, catching up on what the families were doing and filling them in on what his family have been up to. He then left before the praying started.

We both went to the funeral services; I went as that is what wives do, even though I didn't know her and I really like Mass. Yes, that is correct. I like Mass.

When I first met Dave, I was really turned off by Mass, from what glimpses I saw on T.V. when I flipped through a Christmas Midnight Mass or Easter services that they show here locally in town from St. Francis. I must confess that the real reason I really didn't like Mass was because of Beneath the Planet of the Apes. Mutants were living underground in St. Patrick's in New York City and worshiping a nuclear bomb and they held their own Mass then pulled off their masks that they covered their melted mutant faces. You see that movie once when you're eight and then ask yourself, why do you think Mass is creepy.

Since hanging out the husbands family, and going to a few on official church business (weddings, funerals and Christmas Eve) I really like the pageantry and order of the service. I just don't believe in God, that's all.

Meanwhile back at the church,

Dave's sister, Heather shows up (wearing a bra, a "thank you god" would be appropriate here) and has my niece in tow, Molly age 7, whiny tattletale. At the after service brunch, We three are trying to mingle and meet the family and Molly is asking repeatedly if she can come over today and play with the cat's. Due to Dave's little construction project in the house, Uncle Dave says no, but she is planning to come swimming in a few weeks. Dave catches up with the kids he grew up with and Heather learns that the boy she had a crush on while growing up had passed away a few years ago.

And then I met the woman who caused Dave's slide out of his church.

Dave did love Mass as much as I do. He likes his church in the traditional sense. When he was a teenager, this fine lady wanted to express her love for her god in a more modern way. For a few services, she did, what Dave described as, some interpretive dance-y mumbo jumbo during the service and taught arm movements to the children to help tell the story in hymns. In most things you need to do it the proper way, the way that Dave feels is proper, or its ruined for him. He really wasn't into his faith (meaning faith in a supreme being) and as soon as he could stop (meaning heading to college and out of his parent's house) he stopped going to church.

She seemed like a very nice lady. She said Dave grew up so handsome and I must take good care of him; you can tell just by how good he looks. She and another lady did start clapping and doing arm movements to the last song at the end of the service. I'm only annoyed by those things If I'm forced to participate against my will, much like the Macarena.

Most Evil

My younger sister recommended a show on the Discovery Times channel that has me riveted. It is officially on Tivo's season pass. Most Evil.

If you are not aware, my dream job would be Forensic Psychiatrist.

I've always been an observer of human ticks and tiny neuroses and I am a prime example of some classic ones (but who isn't).

This is exactly the type of show that is right up my alley. It does, of course have that sensationalism that most serial killer series in the first 15 minutes but the remaining 45 minutes really has quite a bit of actual physical and mental medical information about why they kill and what in there past could be behind it. That could be abuse, actual damage to the brain or mental illness or a mix of the three. They also throw in discussions about ethics as well. More like a university lecture than ABC's Primetime Live.

yes I still love Daddy Yankee

Adam Levine is Hawt

Car Dancing

I chair danced to this song on the ride home from school. It never fails to make me happy.

T.V. Shows, Dinner and a late night conversation

Before I get started, I wanted to let you know what shows I'm really excited about this season.

Tim Gunn's Guide to Style. His dry wit and rapid smart comments just slay me. His wit is like the Sahara.

Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders: Making the Team. Kelly and Judy work those poor little ole cheerleaders like Texas ranch hands and those girls always respond with an ever so polite "Yes, ma'am"

Kelly: Sugarplum, you are just too thick to fit in that uniform and your makeup makes you look like a whore.

Mary sue, cheerleader: Yes, ma'am, thank you ma'am

Love it.

Dexter. Blood spatter expert for Miami PD and the serial killer who kills serial killers.

and everything on Thursday nights on NBC.

So its all basically family viewing.

Dave and I had dinner last night with a friend of his that he's known since they were 9 or 10 years old. That would be as long as Dave has been in Arizona. (Dave moved here from Texas when he was 9). I really never clicked with this guy as he has that underlying vibe that screams schmoozy used car salesman. In fact I haven't seen him in about 5 years, a dinner out at Carrabas. He had just gotten married to a family therapist. Her therapist skills didn't work because after she had her baby a year later he started collecting new friends that were girls.

She said that was OK

Then one of these friends was giving him B.J.'s but they weren't having intercourse.

I guess the distinction matters because the wife, again, said that was OK.

Surprise, Surprise they divorced last year; leaving the wife and two sons for the b.j. girl. Dave actually met her at their 20th high school reunion last November.

Dinner last night wasn't with that girl. Apparently that girl wanted a commitment. She didn't realize that she was "that girl" that he had to accidentally/on purpose make a bad decision with so that it would force him to leave an unhappy situation instead of just being a man and saying he's leaving because the relationship not working. Poor girl.

We met someone else. They met on match dot com 2 months ago and decided last week that they are moving in together. Good for them. We hung out on the patio at Aunt Chilada's (Squaw Peak). It would be the 1st time this summer that we were able to sit outside and enjoy the evening since it was only 90 degrees. That's cardigan wearing weather here in Phoenix.

The couple had to leave at about 10pm to do what adults do in a new relationship and we headed to Corbin's a half a mile from our place where I met Gordon, retired Medtronic engineer.

We sidled up to the bar, cuz we sidle in the southwest, and I immediately introduced myself to the elderly gentleman to my right. He was alone enjoying his chipotle slow roasted pork quesadilla and a bud light. Gordon is 75, single never married, and match dot com is not his thing. He retired from Medtronic and likes to keep busy with hobbies, his garden and his brother's family. He thinks that his niece will end up with his estate. It was his second time into Corbin's but really likes the place.

I had to discuss the f-word rule with Mike and Greg the bartenders. If you say the f-word 3 times you are asked to leave. We are ladies and gentlemen and we are uninteresting and unimaginative if we use the f-bomb in our vocabulary. I only got to count 1 last night, whew.

Dinner @ Firebirds

You know when you have someone say, "You have to try this restaurant. It's our favorite, it's amazing, everything is delicious."? and then you have to eat the mediocre food? Yup, that was my Saturday night.

My best friend and her husband kept talking about Firebirds and how they had the best cocktails and the food was scrumptious. Yes, they used the word "scrumptious". The pear martini didn't taste like a pear, but it did have a pear slice in it. Yeah, that didn't matter much to me either. Dave had the prime rib and I of course had to have a taste and I can say that it was nothing special; average, mediocre, eh. I had the trout. I love trout, but not this one. It was absent of taste. I didn't think that was possible with trout. It's a little oilier, like salmon, so that was a little surprising as it's hard not to have some flavor. I ordered a side of green beans and they both jokes that they were going to fight me for them so I better eat them quick. Once again, nothing special.

It was about same price for a meal at the Keg but so not worth it. Yes, the Keg is a chain but I feel that I got a good meal for the money spent. We can't go to the keg as a foursome, because someone dated a waiter from there and it ended badly and it wasn't me. I think Dave and I need to go to the Keg when the newly married Curtis' come in to town again. Doug and Steph love the Keg and are lots o' fun.

*emails the Curtis' an invite for dinner*

We walked across the street to the movie theatre and saw Superbad. So damn funny. You must see it. "It is a moral imperative" (80's quote). The next movie masterpiece that I'm looking forward to is another Judd Apatow film, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. The trailer was nutty.

Negotiations have started for next years vacation. I was thinking of going to Ireland again but I was watching $40 a day (foodtv show) and Rachel "satan's minion" Ray was visiting Jackson, Wyoming and now I want to go there. Maybe both or maybe try and go somewhere I've never visited. Updates to come. What was bugging me about Rachel (this time) was that she had this cowboy accent while talking to citizens of Jackson and NO ONE ELSE HAD ONE, stop talking like that! Not the sharpest pencil in the case.